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About
This program is tailored for nephrologists seeking to enhance their knowledge of PKD diagnosis, management, and advancements in the field. It also provides a pathway to successful medical directorship in PKD clinics and centers of excellence. This year-long program features monthly interactive sessions designed to educate nephrologists and improve care for PKD patients. It is open to both national and international participants. Selected scholarships are available for applicants from low to middle economic backgrounds. For more information, please contact rica.pitogo@glomcon.org.
How It's Structured
Session Format: Each session will consist of a one-hour lecture followed by a one-hour interactive workshop.
Assignments: Assignments will be distributed two weeks prior to each session, focusing on specific aspects of PKD (diagnosis, genetic testing, management).
Presentations: Fellows will prepare a 10–15-minute presentation addressing assignment questions, including relevant studies and papers.
Literature review: Assigned fellows will summarize pertinent papers for discussion during the session.
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Research Opportunities: Fellows are encouraged to collaborate with faculty on review papers with mentorship support.
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Assessment and Evaluation:
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Knowledge Evaluation: Two tests throughout the program: Initial to assess the base knowledge and then a test on the last session. Test scores are not a requirement for receiving the certification; completion of the tests is mandatory.
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Peer Evaluation: Fellows and faculty will critique cases presented by their peers.
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Certification of Completion: Upon successful completion of the program, participants will receive a certificate from GlomCon, which can enhance their professional credentials.
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Mentorship Opportunities: Participants will have access to experts in the field for guidance throughout the program duration.
Fellowship Expectations
As a participant in our PKD fellowship program, we expect you to:​
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Attendance: Attend at least 90% of the monthly faculty sessions. This is a requirement to receive your certificate upon completion.
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Leadership: Lead one or more faculty meetings and topic-based discussions.​
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Presentation: Deliver a year-end talk at your home institution using content you've developed during your fellowship.
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Time Commitment
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Weekly Engagement: You can expect to spend approximately 2-4 hours per week on fellowship activities.
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Institutional Support: It is essential to secure support from your home institution’s training program leadership.
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Session Structure: Our sessions will be held once a month, supplemented by pre-session work to facilitate a flipped classroom model during our workshops.
Who Should Apply
This fellowship is ideal for individuals who:
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Have a strong interest in PKD.
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Are enthusiastic about medical education and keen to connect with peers from various organizations while exploring innovative learning methods.
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Are looking to pursue a clinical or research career in the field of PKD.
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Aim to enhance their skill sets and clinical competency in managing patients with rare diseases.
Requirements
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Language Proficiency: All participants must be proficient in English (both spoken and written) and possess a strong interest in PKD.
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Application: First-year fellows are encouraged to apply but must include a statement from their program directors explicitly supporting their application and ensuring protected time during fellowship hours.
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To apply, please submit the following:
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A letter of interest.
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An up-to-date resume/CV.
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Optional: A letter of support from your local Program Director, Chief, or employer, committing to protected time for fellowship activities, addressed to the GlomCon Fellowship Program.
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Fees: Upon acceptance and successful enrollment in the program, the fellowship fee for the 10-month training period is as follows:
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High-Income Economies: $690
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Middle-Income Economies: $490
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Low-Income Economies: $290
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Note: A 25% rebate is available for group applications through local training programs (minimum of 2, maximum of 6 participants).
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Scholarship Opportunities: Limited scholarship support is available for applicants from low-income and middle-income countries, awarded based on availability and the order of application receipt.
Curriculum
Module 1: Diagnosis of PKD
- Techniques in Imaging and Genetic Testing
- Prenatal counseling
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Module 2: Risk Stratification and Prognosis in ADPKD
- Understanding and Applying Various Scoring Systems
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Module 3: Management of PKD
- Strategies for Treatment: When and How to Intervene
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Module 4: Managing Extrarenal Manifestations
- Focus on Polycystic Liver Disease (PLD) and Cardiovascular Issues
Module 5: Complications Associated with PKD and Approaches to Pain Management
- Addressing Kidney Stones, Cyst Bleeding, Mental Health Concerns, and Extrarenal Complications
- Beyond Long-Term Pain Medication: Alternative Strategies
Module 6: Polycystic Kidney Disease in Pediatrics and Transition Care Strategies
Module 7: Post-Transplantation Care
- Managing Native Kidneys After Kidney Transplantation
Module 8: Case-Based Discussions and Assessment
- Interactive Case Studies and Knowledge Quizzes
Module 9: Clinical Trials and Research
- Overview of Current and Future Studies in PKD
Module 10: Establishing a PKD Clinic
- Steps to Develop a PKD Clinic and Aspiring Towards a Center of Excellence
Important Dates
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Application is open from 1 May 2025 to 15 July 2025.
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Acceptance notification on 15 August 2025.
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Orientation takes place on 16 September 2025.
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Graduation takes place on July 2026.​
​Live Session Dates for 2025 Program:​
9am PT / 12pm ET
September 16, 2025
October 14, 2025
November 18, 2025
December 16, 2025
January 13, 2026
February 10, 2026
March 10, 2026
April 21, 2026
May 12, 2026
June 9, 2026
July 14, 2026
August 11, 2026​​​
*dates are subject to change*
Program Team
Fouad T. Chebib, MD, FASN
Program Chair
Associate Professor of Medicine
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Consultant, Division of Nephrology and Hypertension
Director, Mayo Clinic Florida
PKD Center of Excellence
Director, Discovery and Translational
PKD Research Lab
Research Chair, Division of Nephrology
and Hypertension
Sayna Norouzi, MD, FASN
Program Director
Director, Glomerular Disease Clinic
Director, GlomCon Glomerular Disease Fellowship Program
Director, Polycystic Kidney Disease Clinic
Associate Professor, Loma Linda University Medical Center, CA
Neera K. Dahl, MD, PhD
Associate Program Director
Director of the PKD Foundation
Center of Excellence, Mayo Clinic Rochester
Associate Director,
Mayo Clinic Translational PKD Center
Professor of Medicine,
Mayo Clinic College of Medicine
Pranav S. Garimella, MD, MPH
Associate Program Director
​Associate Professor of Clinical Medicine
Director, UC San Diego
Acute Dialysis Services
Director, UC San Diego
PKD Center of Excellence
Division of Nephrology and Hypertension
University of California San Diego
2025 Faculty
Alex Chang
MD, MS​
​​Associate Professor of Medicine, Departments of Nephrology and Population Health Sciences
Co-Director, Center for Kidney Health Research
Co-Director, Geisinger PKD Center of Excellence
Geisinger
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Dean Nourbakhsh
DO​
Associate Clinical Professor
Department of Pediatrics
Division of Nephrology
UCSD Medical Center/Rady Children's Hospital
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Gauri Bhutani
MBBS, FASN
Director, UW-PKD Center of Excellence
Clinical Associate Professor
Division of Nephrology
School of Medicine and Public Health
University of Wisconsin-Madison
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Osama Amro
MD, MS
Director, Swedish-Providence Nephrology
Director, Swedish Polycystic Kidney Disease Center of Excellence
Advisory Board Member, National Kidney Foundation
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Shennen Mao
MD
Assistant Professor of Surgery
Mayo Clinic Florida
Surgical Director for Living Donation and Kidney Transplant
Mayo Clinic Florida
Anjay Rastogi
MD, PhD​
Director | PKD Program
Director l CORE Kidney Program
Professor and Clinical Chief of Nephrology
David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA
UCLA Health ​​​
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Erum A. Hartung
MD, MTR
Co-Director of the Kidney/Liver Program
Director of the Pediatric Nephrology
Fellowship Program
Children's Hospital of Philadelphia
Assistant Professor of Pediatrics
Perelman School of Medicine of the
University of Pennsylvania
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Kassem Safa
MD, FASN
Assistant Professor of Medicine,
Harvard Medical School
Associate Physician,
Nephrology, Massachusetts General Hospital
Transplant Nephologist,
Transplant Center, Massachusetts General Hospital
Clinic Investigator, Asst Prof,
Nephrology - Renal Assoc, Mass General Research Institute
Peter Harris
PhD
Director of the Mayo Clinic Translational Polycystic Kidney Disease Center
Gordon H. and Violet Bartels Professor of Cellular Biology
Professor of Biochemistry/Molecular Biology and Medicine
Department of Nephrology and Hypertension
Mayo Clinic​​
Terry J. Watnick
MD
Joan B. and John H. Sadler, MD
Professor of Nephrology
Principal Investigator, NIDDK-funded Maryland Polycystic Kidney Disease (PKD) Research and Translation Core Center (RTCC)
Craig Gordon
MD, MS​
Nephrology Fellowship Program Director
Boston University Medical Center
Professor of Medicine, Tufts Medical Center
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Frederic F. Rahbari-Oskoui MD, MS, FASN
Professor of Medicine
Director of the Polycystic Kidney Diseases Center of Excellence at Emory
Master Clinician
Emory University School of Medicine
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Meyeon Park
MD, MAS
University of California, San Francisco
UCSF PKD Center of Excellence
Swart Family Endowed Professor in Nephrology
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Priya Deshpande
MD
Associate Professor
Barbara T. Murphy Division of Nephrology
Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai
Medical Director
Davita Greenpoint Peritoneal Dialysis
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